Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		1.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		2.5

Eureka: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 20, 2020

Eureka: a blend of curiosities and comedy, small town sensibilities and world-changing shenanigans. Born from the minds of Creators Andrew Cosby and Jaime Paglia, the show centers on a small town with a big brain where the world's foremost minds -- and eccentric personalities -- have been gathered together in the name of advancing scientific knowledge. What could possibly go wrong? Though sometimes uneven in structure and cadence, Eureka proves to be a steadily entertaining, occasionally thought provoking, and smartly worked show that finds balance between its personalities, the zany inventions, the nefarious masterminds, and the sometimes far-flung adventures that populate the series. It debuted on Sci-Fi (now SyFy) July 18, 2006 and ran for five seasons, wrapping up on July 16, 2012.

Official synopsis: Eureka is a seemingly ordinary place whose residents lead ordinary lives -- at least to the naked eye. shrouded in secrecy, the picturesque town is actually a community of scientific geniuses, secretly relocated by the government to conduct top-secret research. This hit series smartly roots itself in reality, as the drama of the townsfolk stems from lifes myriad of everyday challenges. But with the populations unique talents, troubled psyches and limitless resources, these small-town concerns have a way of becoming big-time problems. It is at that intersection, where human frailty and super-science collide -- that 'Eureka' begins.

The show's primary point of interest is certainly the quirky characters and the science they study which results in both positive improvements to the town and the world and sometimes, for the show's entertainment value, to negative consequence. So many episodes in the show's serialized, sometimes even procedural, components explore science run amok and the negative impact that scientific power and genius has on the mind. The show sees plenty of one-off villains using science for nefarious gain, thwarted by the talents of newcomer sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) who may not be so scientifically brilliant as his fellow townsfolk but who demonstrates an uncanny connection to them, anyway, and a penchant for fixing the problems they, and their science, create. The show is populated by an assortment of characters in law, science, business, and government -- sometimes those fields intersecting -- and it is in them that the show finds its greatest strength. The meshing of quirk and character is well done at script level and the cast is terrific in balancing the show's unique requirements no matter how grounded or far flung they and the story may be.

The series can be a little uneven in terms of flow. It's more procedural here, more arcing in narrative there. But it meshes quite well, and even in the serialized sets there's enough character growth, world expansion, and concept exposition to satisfy. The show's maturity is evident by season two; one is a little shakier as the show attempts to find its footing and the characters their voices amidst the external quirks and the complex world around them. Eureka itself is the proverbial character, a nonliving yet lively environment secretly cut off from the world yet a microcosm of it in so many ways, even if its population is mentally beyond Anytown USA. Its inhabitants deal with the same issues, wants, needs, ups, and downs as everyone else, often with a unique twist and/or perspective component but the writers and the actors both have done a great job of making genius relatable. The show is supported by quality production values and often excellent special effects, particularly for a show that debuted almost 15 years ago.

Eureka: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Eureka: The Complete Series does not look particularly good on Blu-ray. The picture frequently feels as if it's on the verge of digital collapse. Compression artifacts abound, giving practically every episode and most every shot, scene, and sequence a clumpy, messy, poorly defined feel. Sharp noise flickers throughout. Textures are not particularly good, either. Faces and clothes lack anything close to pinpoint clarity and definition, and the picture is only really benefitting from the 1080p resolution, not from any mastery of the elements. It's sharp enough but there's just no escaping the sloppy look that permeates the entire experience. Colors fare a little better but expect a fairly standard output. There's enough boldness to intense primaries to satisfy and skin tones look good enough. Black levels waver a good bit. Overall: a mess of a transfer from start to finish. The 1.0/5.0 score is bordering on generosity.

Eureka: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Eureka: The Complete Series' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 loses soundtrack lacks finesse but it compensates with effort. The presentation offers plenty of good, loud, stage-filling pronouncements, delivering capable Sci-Fi content and all sorts of potent science-related audio cues that generate width, depth, and some positive subwoofer engagement. Every episode has something unique to offer, and while the show's audio budget does not allow for higher end effects, what's here is presented with a good feel for spacial immersion, drawing the listener into each episode's narrative. Atmospheric effects, whether out around town, inside labs, or through some of the other fantastical locations from throughout the series are always in good working order. Music is nicely defined and spacious along the front with a modest surround integration. Dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and emanates from a natural front-center position.

Eureka: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Eureka: The Complete Series contains a sprawling assortment of extra content available throughout the set. No DVD or digital copies are included. The series ships in two separate double size Amaray cases with each disc on its own tab. Both ship inside a basic slip box. Art work differs between the cases and the box.

Season One, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For "Pilot:" Show Creators Andrew Cosby and Jaime Paglia and Actor Colin Ferguson. A second track with Ferguson is also included.
• Podcast Commentary: For "Many Happy Returns:" Actor Colin Ferguson. For "Before I Forget:" Actor Colin Ferguson, Writer John Rogers, Producer and Co-Creator Andrew Cosby, Co-Creator Jaime Paglia, and Staff Writer Johanna Stokes. For "Alienated:" Actor Colin Ferguson, Executive Producer & Co-Creator Andrew Cosby, and Co-Creator Jaime Paglia. For "Dr. Nobel:" Actor Colin Ferguson and Director Jeff Woolnough.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Included are scenes from "Pilot" (17:52 total runtime) as well as an Outtake (1:27), both with commentary by Show Creators Andrew Cosby and Jaime Paglia and Actor Colin Ferguson.
• Webisodes (480i, 4x3): Shorts from the Eureka universe, here telling a story titled "Hide and Seek" about a strange creature living in the woods. Included are Prologue (1:10), Webisode One (1:31), Webisode Two (2:12), Webisode Three (1:36), Webisode Four (1:47), Webisode Five (2:24), Webisode Six (1:21), and Webisode Seven (2:50).
• Made in Eureka (Mock Informercials) (480i): Included are The Cryo-Kennel (1:07) and The Micro-Mitt (1:07).

Season One, Disc Two:

• Podcast Commentary: For "Blink:" Executive Producer & Co-Creator Andrew Cosby, Co-Creator Jaime Paglia, and Staff Writer Johanna Stokes. For "Right as Raynes:" Executive Producer & Co-Creator Andrew Cosby, Co-Creator Jaime Paglia, Actor Ed Quinn, and Staff Writer Johanna Stokes. For "Primal:" Actors Colin Ferguson and Ed Quinn and Co-Creator Jaime Paglia. For "Purple Haze:" Co-Creator Jaime Paglia and Actors Ed Quinn, Colin Ferguson, and Jordan Hinson. For "H.O.U.S.E. Rules:" Actor Colin Ferguson. Also for "H.O.U.S.E. Rules:" Co-Creator Jaime Paglia and Actors Colin Ferguson, Jordan Hinson, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield. For "Once in a Lifetime:" Actor Colin Ferguson, Executive Producer & Co-Creator Andrew Cosby, and Co-Creator Jaime Paglia.
• Outtake (480i, 1:40): For "Once in a Lifetime." With optional commentary with Show Creators Andrew Cosby, Jaime Paglia, and Actor Colin Ferguson.

Season Two, Disc One:

• Podcast Commentary: For "Try, Try Again:" Series Stars Colin Ferguson and Neil Grayston. Also for "Try, Try Again:" Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig and Executive Producer Thania St. John.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Included are scenes from "Phoenix Rising" (2:55), "Try, Try Again" (1:12), "Unpredictable" (2:42), "Games People Play" (1:10), and "Family Reunion" (0:29).
• Happenings Around Town, the Second Season (480i, 11:39): Discussing the show's evolution from season one to season two, character growth, favorite odds and ends from the season, and more.
• SciFi.com Webcasts (480i, window boxed in a larger 4x3 frame, 12:45): Another behind-the-scenes piece that adds more insight into season two. In fact, it reuses some of the same content from the Happenings Around Town supplement. The piece also includes Colin Ferguson answering some questions from Comic-Con fans.
• "Live Smart, Eureka" PSA's (480i): Humorous health and safety advice snippets from the characters. Included are Allison Blake (0:21), Sheriff Jack Carter (0:21), Douglas Fargo (0:21), Henry Deacon (0:21), Deputy Jo Lupo (0:27), Dr. Nathan Stark (0:21), and Zoe Carter (0:21).

Season Two, Disc Two:

• Podcast Commentary: For "Sight Unseen:" Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig. For "God Is in the Details:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Staff Writer Eric Wallace. For "Maneater:" Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig and Co-Executive Producer Bruce Miller.
• Deleted Scenens (480i): Scenes from "E=MC...?" (3:57), "Sight Unseen" (1:46), "God Is in the Details" (0:55), and "All That Glitters" (4:06).
• Gag Reel (480i, 5:50): Humorous moments from the set.
• Inside the Writers' Room (480i, 14:34): An inside look at how the writers prepared for season three.

Season Three, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For "Bad to the Drone:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Visual Effects Producer Matthew Gore.
• Podcast Commentary: For "Bad to the Drone:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig. For "What About Bob?:" Executive Producer/Showrunner/Episode Writer Charlie Craig. For "Best in Faux:" Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig and Co-Executive Producer/Episode Writer Bruce Miller. For "I Do Over:" Executive Producer/Showrunner Charlie Craig and Executive Producer/Episode Writer Thania St. John. For "Show Me the Mummy:" Supervising Producer/Episode Writer Curtis Kheel.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "Bad to the Drone" (6:41), "What About Bob?" (1:55), "Best in Faux" (5:00), "I Do Over" (1:39), "Show Me the Mummy" (1:28), and "Phased and Confused" (3:29).

Season Three, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentary: For "Your Face or Mine?:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Series Star Colin Ferguson.
• Podcast Commentary: For "Welcome Back, Carter:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Writer Bruce Miller.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "Here Come the Suns" (1:32), "From Fear to Eternity" (5:19), "Welcome Back Carter" (2:16), "Your Face or Mine?" (4:07), "Insane in the P-Brane" (0:50), and "It's Not Easy Being Green" (3:11).
• Creating a Musical Personality (480i, 18:30): Creating the film's score with Composer Bear McCreary.

Season Three, Disc Three:

• Audio Commentary: For "What Goes Around, Comes Around:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Director Matt Hastings.
• Podcast Commentary: For "If You Build It:" Writer Bruce Miller and Series Star Jordan Hinson. For "Ship Happens:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Series Star Colin Ferguson. For "You Don't Know Jack:" Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Writer Eric Wallace.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "If You Build It" (1:46), "Ship Happens" (0:53), "Shower the People" (0:49), "Have an Ice Day!" (2:22), and "What Goes Around, Comes Around" (1:34).
• Finishing Touch: The Visual Effects of Eureka (480i, 14:49): As the title suggests, this is an in-depth discussion of building and implementing the show's digital effects.

Season Four, Disc One:

• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "Founder's Day" (0:51), "A New World" (2:54), "All the Rage" (1:47), "The Story of O2" (10:24), "Crossing Over" (0:24), "Monstrosity" (2:20), and "Stoned" (1:17).
• In the Beginning: Camp Eureka 1947 (480i, 5:26): A look at building a 1947 Eureka for season four's first episode, "Founders' Day."

Season Four, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentary: For "Liftoff:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Executive Producer Bruce Miller.
• Podcast Commentary: For "Liftoff:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia, Executive Producer Bruce Miller, and VFX Producer Matt Gore. For "Reprise:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Writer/Co-Executive Producer Amy Berg.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "I'll Be Seeing You" (3:25), "Liftoff" (1:08), "Reprise" (1:51), "Glimpse" (0:25), and "Up in the Air" (0:36).
• Gag Reel (480i, 4:49): Humorous moments from the set.
• The Mythology of Eureka (480i, 15:10): A discussion of the season open time travel story and the changes it brought to the show, including some of the key season arcs.

Season Four, Disc Three:

• Podcast Commentary: For "Omega Girls:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Actress/Director Salli Richardson-Whitfield. For "One Giant Leap...:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Director/Co-Executive Producer Matthew Hastings.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "Omega Girls" (1:47), "Clash of the Titans" (2:30), "This One Time at Space Camp" (2:43), "One Small Step..." (4:18), and "One Giant Leap" (1:28).
• Gag Reel (480i, 5:18): Humorous moments from the set.
• Eureka: Season Five Sneak Peek (480i, 4:49): An exciting scene leading up to the series' fifth and final season.

Season Five, Disc One:

• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "Lost" (2:03), "Force Quit" (0:30), "Jack of All Trades" (11:44), and "Ex Machina" (1:06).
• Gag Reel (480i, 2:49): Humorous moments from the set.
• Anatomy of an Episode: "Jack of All Trades" (480i, 17:06): Cast and crew explore the making of the episode, beginning with concept, structure, performances, Jaime Paglia's direction, production details, and more.
• Ode to Carl the Jeep (480i, 2:40): Jeeps don't fare well in Eureka.
• "This Song Is on the House" (480i, 4:10): Jaime Paglia introduces Tally Deushane's song about a smart house, a robot cop, and love.

Season Five, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentary: For "Just Another Day...:" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Jaime Paglia and Executive Producers Bruce Miller and Todd Sharp.
• Deleted Scenes (480i): Scenes from "The Honeymooners" (2:03) and "Just Another Day..." (1:23).
• A Fond Farewell (480i, 3:28): Jaime Paglia and key cast thank the fans for supporting the show for five seasons.

Eureka: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Eureka made for an agreeable little slice of TV. Well cast, smartly written, and a good bit of fun, the show simultaneously challenged the mind and tickled the fancy in a way few others can. It lacks the breadth and resonance of the best, but few are quite so much fun for a five-season escape that nicely balances lightheartedness with some more serious character depth and drama. Mill Creek's 12-disc release of Eureka: The Complete Series contains a large amount of bonus content across the set. Video is terrible and audio is spotty but acceptable. For die-hard series fans only.